Brass cleaning is the unglamorous backbone of a successful reloading bench. Its the meticulous case prep that separates good ammunition from truly consistent, high-performing rounds. For years, reloaders have juggled buckets, sifters, and mess. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator aims to consolidate that process into a single, streamlined unit. Does it deliver the efficiency and cleanliness promised, or does it add another layer of complication? Lets get into the details.
This isn’t just another plastic tub. Frankford Arsenal has engineered a complete system designed to handle both wet tumbling with stainless steel pins and traditional dry media cleaning. The core promise is simple: contain the mess, speed up the separation, and make the entire post-cleaning workflow less of a chore. From my honest perspective, a tool that simplifies this step is worth its weight in gold, as it gets you back to the actual precision reloading faster.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series: Key Features and Build
At first glance, the Platinum Series separator presents as a robust, thoughtfully designed kit. Its not a flimsy accessory; its built for the repeated, sometimes heavy-duty use it will see on an active reloading bench. The design focuses on solving the specific pain points of media separation.
Technical Specifications and Components
The system comprises three main components: a large outer bucket, a perforated sifter basket, and a spill-proof tub that acts as the inner liner and media catcher. Two ambidextrous handles are included for the sifting action. Honestly speaking, the inclusion of these handles is a small but significant ergonomic win, especially after a long wet tumbling session.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Complete Setup | Includes bucket, sifter, handles, and spill-proof tub for a ready-to-use system. |
| Versatility | Engineered for both wet or dry ammunition reloading cleaning processes. |
| Durable Latch | Rugged rubber latch secures the sifter lid, even under heavy loads of brass and media. |
| Ease of Use | Perforated sifter allows media to fall through while retaining cleaned brass. Spill-proof tub captures all water, dry media, and stainless pins. |
| Ambidextrous Design | Two sifting handles allow for comfortable use with either hand. |
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Durability and Practical Design
The construction feels substantial. The rubber latch is a standout featureits not a flimsy plastic clip. This latch is critical for preventing catastrophic spills, especially when dealing with a sloshing mixture of water, pins, and 500 pieces of 9mm brass. My honest assessment is that this attention to a simple closure mechanism shows Frankford Arsenal understands the real-world use case. The spill-proof inner tub is another thoughtful touch. It fully contains the messy media and water, directing it away from the clean brass in the sifter and preventing leaks onto your bench or floor.
Setup, Installation, and Real-World Operation
One of the biggest advantages of this separator is its lack of a complex setup. Theres no calibration, no alignment, and no mounting required. You simply assemble the three primary pieces. The process for both wet and dry separation is intuitive, which is a major benefit for beginners building their first reloading kit.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
- For Wet Tumbling: After your tumbler cycle finishes, pour the entire contents (brass, pins, water) into the perforated sifter basket, which sits inside the spill-proof tub.
- Secure the sifter lid with the rugged rubber latch. Give the assembly a few gentle shakes or rolls to let most of the water drain.
- Place the sifter basket into the outer bucket. Using the handles, lift and sift the basket up and down. The stainless pins and any debris fall through the perforations into the spill-proof tub below, leaving only clean brass in the basket.
- Remove the clean brass. You can then pour the wet pins from the inner tub back into your tumbler for storage or reuse, with minimal spillage.
The process for dry media like corn cob or walnut is identical, just without the water. The sealed system dramatically reduces dust. Speaking honestly, this containment is a game-changer for indoor reloading setups, keeping your workspace much cleaner.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the system is simple, a couple of points can smooth operation. First, dont overfill the sifter basket. While the latch is strong, an excessively heavy load can make the sifting action awkward. Second, for wet separation, a preliminary drain shake before moving the basket to the outer bucket minimizes water transfer. This approach, recommended by , ensures a drier, easier final sift. If you find media isnt falling through easily, a slightly more vigorous vertical motion usually does the trickthe perforations are adequately sized for both pins and granular media.
Performance Review: Pros, Cons, and User Feedback
After extensive use, the Platinum Series separator proves its value. It excels at its core function: making a messy job clean and efficient. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.However, no product is perfect, and understanding its limitations is key to determining if it’s the right fit for your reloading bench.
The Advantages: Why It Works
- Containment is King: The fully enclosed system is the top benefit. It eliminates the fear of spilling thousands of tiny stainless pins onto your floor or having dry media dust coat everything. This single feature justifies the investment for many.
- Speed and Efficiency: Separating a full batch of wet-tumbled brass takes just a minute or two of sifting. Its significantly faster and less messy than the old “swirl in a pan” method.
- Build Quality: The materials feel durable. The latch, handles, and tubs are designed for repeated use and resist cracking or warping.
- True Versatility: It seamlessly switches between wet and dry media without any modification or extra parts. This is ideal for reloaders who use both methods.
Considerations and Limitations
- Size and Storage: Its a fairly large unit when assembled. You need dedicated shelf space for it, as it doesnt nest perfectly when disassembled.
- Capacity Limitation: The sifter basket has a maximum capacity. For reloaders processing extremely large batches (e.g., 1000+ .223 cases in one tumble), you may need to separate in two stages. Honestly speaking, for the vast majority of users, the capacity is more than sufficient.
- Manual Operation: This is not an automated device. You are still providing the physical sifting motion. For those with mobility issues, this could be a factor.
User feedback in communities like r/reloading on Reddit and specialized forums overwhelmingly praises its effectiveness. The most common positive notes highlight the end of messy spills and the time saved. A few notes on capacity exist, but they are far outweighed by the satisfaction with its core function. To be completely honest, the positive consensus is well-earned; it solves a specific problem very effectively.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Platinum Series Separator?
So, is the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator worth it? My honest take is a resounding yes for most reloaders. Its not a flashy press or a high-tech scale, but it is a foundational reloading accessory that improves the quality of your reloading sessions
Ideal User Profile
This separator is a perfect fit for:
- Reloaders transitioning to wet tumbling: It manages the tricky pin separation process flawlessly.
- Anyone tired of the mess: If youve ever cursed while sweeping up corn cob media or hunting for spilled pins, this is your solution.
- Reloaders with indoor benches: The dust and spill containment protects your workspace.
- Those valuing workflow efficiency: It turns a 10-minute messy job into a 2-minute clean one.
It might be less critical for someone who only decaps and cleans dry brass infrequently in very small batches. But for anyone doing volume cleaning or using stainless pins, its nearly indispensable.
Alternatives and Complementary Gear
While this is a standout product in its category, it exists within a larger ecosystem of reloading accessories. For case prep that precedes cleaning, tools like the Frankford Arsenal Case Prep Center can handle deburring, chamfering, and primer pocket cleaning. If you’re building your entire setup from scratch, comparing complete kits like the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit can provide context on where a separator fits into your budget.
For those exploring different press types before committing to the brass prep stage, differences between a single stage press like the Frankford Arsenal M-Press and a progressive press is crucial. The separator is a supporting actor, but your press is the star of the show.
Ultimately, the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Separator is a brilliantly simple solution to a universal reloading problem. Its well-built, performs exactly as advertised, and genuinely makes the hobby more enjoyable. I honestly believe its one of those tools you dont realize you need until youve used itafter which, youll wonder how you ever managed without it. It earns a solid recommendation for any serious reloader looking to optimize their process from cleaning to loading.